Sunday, October 09, 2005

Until we all have institutional repositories: an idea for the transition

One of the quandaries for funding agencies wishing to mandate open access to the results of research they have funded, is that not all researchers currently enjoy the services of an institutional repository.

There are likely a number of ways of addressing this issue on a temporary basis. Here is one thought: why not investigate whether any of the libraries which already have an IR repository up and running would consider a contract to create a special section for the funding agency? This would provide a means of immediately addressing this situation, which may well be temporary in nature, at less cost than might be incurred if the funding agency were to set up their own central repository.

When the authors' own repository is up and running, the article(s) can then be copied to this IR. Similarly, once IR technology is more advanced and it becomes cheaper and easier for the funding agency to set up their own repository, then the items can be moved or copied from this temporary IR, to the funders' IR.

Comment from Peter Suber, Open Access News, Monday October 9, 2005: Another possibility is for universities with IRs to allow deposits by faculty from selected IR-less institutions. Another is for universities without individual IRs to launch a consortial IR. Another possibility, though still forthcoming, is the universal repository I'm helping to launch at the Internet Archive.

Thoughts on this would be appreciated, whether on one of the open access lists, or send directly to heatherm dot eln dot bc dot ca

This post reflects my personal opinion only and does not represent the opinions or policy of the BC Electronic Library Network or the Simon Fraser University Library.